Founded in 1987 by Daniel Johnson, the Texas Early Music Project is dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical music through performance, recordings, and educational outreach.

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I don't know if it was the invitation to watch kolaches being cooked in Meredith's kitchen or what, exactly—but we exceeded our $7500 goal for Amplify Austin by more than $800!! Thanks to all who donated, of course, and thanks to the team that helped with publicizing and working to get this together, not only in the TEMP team but also the Amplify team! Please watch our thank-you video on our Gallery page! You're brilliant! The funds will go to the Monteverdi 1610 Vespers concert and it will be a doozy!

But first—a more subtle, relaxed, transparent doozy. (That's a technical term I learned in musicology classes: If something is really good and special, no matter the size of the event, it's a doozy!) The Notre Dame concert coming up on March 25 & 26 is one that we present with pride and joy, partly because no one else in this area does this rep, but also because we get the joy of collaborating with Dr. Rebecca Baltzer, renowned scholar and musicologist who has uncovered many doozies from the Notre Dame repertoire as well as much more. By the by, the acclaimed ensemble Anonymous 4 profited manyfold by collaborating with her. We're lucky because she's right here in Austin and comes to our concerts as well as concerts by other local groups. She raises the bar on how to be a supporter of real 'live' early music, right here in the Violet Crown.

And the music? It's a beautifully transcendent [sometimes rousing] experience. Doozy to the max! There are toe tappers—don't worry! Learn more about our Notre Dame concert below and listen to some audio teasers!

Notre Dame Cathedral, c. 1200

Admission $30 general; $25 seniors (60+); $5 students (at the door only)Tickets available in advance online or by cash, check, or credit card at the door.

Special note about parking for St. Mary Cathedral on Saturday, March 25:Where: Capital Towers parking garage immediately behind (south of) the church. The entry is on San Jacinto Street. The other option is metered street parking.Details:* Take a ticket to park. Keep your parking ticket with you!* Take the elevator to LEVEL 2 (also labeled PG).* Validate your ticket at the table with the self-serve validation machine. * Follow signs to the church entrance at the front of the Cathedral on 10th St.* Enjoy the concert!* As you leave the parking garage, insert validated ticket at the garage exit.

From meditative chant to rousing polyphony, TEMP explores the groundbreaking music of Léonin and Pérotin of the 12th-century School of Notre-Dame, whose musical innovations are the foundation for almost all the music we enjoy today in the Western world. TEMP is proud to collaborate with Dr. Rebecca Baltzer, recognized worldwide as an expert on the music of Notre-Dame Cathedral during the Middle Ages.

Though solemn, a sense of joy and celebration permeate this music, echoing the ecstasy of the Marian movement during the 12th and 13th centuries. Rhythmically complex polyphonic pieces known as organum act as a wonderful complement to the dance-like conductus and the even older plainchant. Enjoy these audio teasers:

We also include a few works that reveal the lighter sides of the lives of the monks with semi-secular works featuring vielle player, Mary Springfels, and harpist, Therese Honey.